Kathy Nast
Aurora
Summary
Strategic Portfolio Program Manager specializing in portfolio governance and financial reporting. Drives stakeholder engagement and process improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency. Leverages agile methodologies to foster cross-functional collaboration, delivering impactful results in complex environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sr Portfolio Program Manager (Cyber Security)
Highmark Health
06.2024 - Current
- Managed product development and served as SME for the Portfolio team, delivering critical insights on cybersecurity finances, roadmap, goals, and strategy.
- Maintained and reported on financial status of $10M+ portfolio, led bi-weekly Portfolio Leadership calls, and tracked action items and outcomes for effective portfolio governance.
- Developed and documented business processes for ISRM team, including portfolio processes and change control, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Systems used: Microsoft suite of products (Teams, word, excel, project, visio), SharePoint sites, Archer, Oracle, iCertis.
Business Process Consultant and Product Manager
WEX
11.2021 - 01.2024
- Led product development and advocated for business interests during Icertis implementation, supporting growth and ongoing maintenance.
- Developed and documented business processes for health organizations, including terminations, acquisitions, and benefit analytics, while providing training and maintenance for key systems like Salesforce and D365.
- Created process for data collection and input for multiple SLA clients, ensuring accurate monthly updates in OnBase and collaborating with internal WEX partners for timely delivery to customers.
- Systems used: Salesforce, OnBase, Power BI, Excel suite of Product, Google suite of products, D365, Icertis.
Senior Project Manager
Well Med
08.2021 - 11.2021
- Managed block of projects for health team, serving as scrum master and project manager for large-scale initiatives.
- Trained and coached less experienced project managers on time management, SCRUM/AGILE methodologies, and interpersonal skills.
- Train and coach less experienced Project Managers on PM skills such as time management, SCRUM/AGILE, and people skills.
- Created processes and documentation, including job aids and agile strategies, to enhance operational efficiencies.
Associate Director Business Process and Program Manager
Optum Health
06.2017 - 09.2020
- Work with Senior Leadership to assist and support Optum forecasting and business strategy.
- Updated, tracked, and retained forecast information for block of Optum teams, enhancing data accuracy for decision-making.
- Collaborated with internal Optum staff on forecast training, ensuring proper representation of team resource needs and facilitating UAT testing of new system.
- Analyzed staffing data in PPM Optics and Excel to report trends.
- Assisted with implementation, growth, maintenance, and sunset of program, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Manager IT Project Manager
Optum Health
09.2016 - 06.2017
- Bridged gap between IT teams and business to create solutions and provide accurate work estimates.
- Acted as BA, PM, SME, and Engagement Lead during role transitions to ensure project continuity.
- Managed end-to-end project lifecycle, including data analysis using Access and Excel.
- Train and manage work in PPM Optics system.
- Manage resources and work in Planview system.
- Applied Agile, Waterfall, and Scrum methodologies in project management.
Business Process Consultant – Product/Program Manager
United Health Care
05.2014 - 06.2016
- Product/program management as well as direct reporting to leadership via weekly updates and executive summaries.
- Developed processes for new A4Me projects and tools, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Resolved issues related to program/product and projects, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Established processes to streamline new A4Me projects and tools.
- Partner with IT to problem solve and drive program/product and projects.
- Led multiple roles including Subject Matter Expert, Project Manager, and Business Analyst in the project lifecycle.
- Assess and address risks for product/program including UAT testing assistance and direction.
- Training and directing the usage and understanding of the PPM Optics system and processes.
Business Analyst
Optum Health
10.2012 - 05.2014
- Oversaw projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with goals and stakeholder expectations.
- Problem-solve and perform root cause analysis for health, life, and disability eligibility processes and procedures using data and other sources. SQL, Excel and Access experience.
- Direct project development and tracking. Agile, Waterfall and Scrum experience.
- Facilitated product and project management while developing new processes and procedures.
- Business and IT liaison, reporting outcomes to Senior Leadership.
- Created and managed Data File Management integration project, implementing quality checks and enhancing process eligibility.
Project Manager and Specialist
United Healthcare
06.2006 - 02.2008
- Assisted in migration of new life and disability groups acquired by United, ensuring smooth integration and continuity.
- Collaborated with senior leaders to manage and develop effective migration strategies, addressing challenges proactively.
- Data and report analysis and creation and presentation of report results for all levels within the organization, SQL, Excel and Access Experience.
- Quoted rates using the uBuy and UeS rating systems.
- Accessed data from Prime administrative system, collaborating with sales force and internal staff to resolve issues on specialty benefits products.
Account Administrator
Great West Life Insurance
05.2000 - 03.2001
- Collaborated with Senior Leaders to troubleshoot and resolve system issues and process inefficiencies, enhancing workflow.
- Facilitated collaboration among eligibility, underwriting, actuarial, sales, group offices, and B.P.O.s to streamline operations.
- Managed projects and analyzed business processes, presenting results to Senior Leadership.
Education
Masters of Business Administration - Health Care Management
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN06.2014
Bachelors of Science - Health Care Management
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN03.2012
Srum Master Certification -
Six Sigma Institute
03.2021
Project Manager Professional - PMP Certification
PMI Institute
11.2020
Six Sigma – Green Belt -
Aveta Business Institute
01.2020
Skills
- Portfolio governance
- Project and product management
- Agile methodologies
- Scrum framework
- Risk assessment
- Business analysis
- Data analysis
- Financial reporting
- Performance monitoring
- Life cycle management
- Scope management
- Process improvement
- Process mapping
- Process analysis
- Process documentation
- Time management
- Customer value delivery
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Cross-functional team building
- Senior leader collaboration
- Strategic planning
- Reporting skills
- Effective communication
- IT and business communication
- Team leadership
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Improvement strategies
- Presentation delivery
- Business strategy development
- Policy improvements
- Microsoft Office expertise
- Cross-functional teamwork
Certification
- PMP Certification
- Six Sigma Green Belt
Timeline
Sr Portfolio Program Manager (Cyber Security)
Highmark Health
06.2024 - Current
Business Process Consultant and Product Manager
WEX
11.2021 - 01.2024
Senior Project Manager
Well Med
08.2021 - 11.2021
Associate Director Business Process and Program Manager
Optum Health
06.2017 - 09.2020
Manager IT Project Manager
Optum Health
09.2016 - 06.2017
Business Process Consultant – Product/Program Manager
United Health Care
05.2014 - 06.2016
Business Analyst
Optum Health
10.2012 - 05.2014
Project Manager and Specialist
United Healthcare
06.2006 - 02.2008
Account Administrator
Great West Life Insurance
05.2000 - 03.2001
Masters of Business Administration - Health Care Management
Capella University
Bachelors of Science - Health Care Management
Capella University
Srum Master Certification -
Six Sigma Institute
Project Manager Professional - PMP Certification
PMI Institute
Six Sigma – Green Belt -
Aveta Business Institute